The log of the VOICE SpeakUp session on REXX programming can be found at:
http://www.os2voice.org/logs/SpeakUp_061598.log.html
...with some information on multi-platform REXX, compiled versus interpreted
REXX, and some history of the language.
For immediate release
June 13, 1998
MEMBERSHIP HAS ITS BENEFITS
The Virtual OS/2 International Consumer Education (VOICE) is pleased to announce
two additions to its Member Benefits package.
First, Stardock Systems (http://www.stardock.com/)
will offer 50% off of any product offered by Stardock, with the exception of Object
Desktop 2.0 Early Experience Program for OS/2, to all VOICE members.
Second, Millennium Technology, Inc. (http://www.millennium-technology.com/)
is offering VOICE members a 50% discount on their popular online Warp Data Book.
This offer expires 60 days from the date of membership (when funds are received
by the VOICE Treasurer) or, for existing members, 60 days after the date of this
announcement (June 13, 1998). If you have received your VOICE renewal notification,
you must act promptly to take advantage of this special offer.
A complete list of member benefits as well as instructions for becoming a member
can be found on our website at http://www.os2voice.org by following the Membership
link. Here you can also find a map showing the approximate locations of all VOICE
members. The "I"nternational part of our name is becoming a greater reality.
NOMINATIONS FOR VP END SOON
Nominations for the position of VOICE Vice President are still being taken through
June 14, 1998. Members wishing to nominate themselves or someone else should send
e-mail to voicevp@ibm.net with a short Bio
that can be posted to the website. Votes will then be taken until June 21, 1998.
Keep an eye on our website for candidates and other voting information.
A NIGHT WITH REXX
Just a reminder that VOICE will be holding a SpeakUp Session about REXX on Monday
June 15, 1998. Guest speakers will include Wayne Swanson of PillarSoft, Dirk Terrell
(author of HTML Wizard and President of Falcon.net), and Jeff Teunissen (author
of the DMI script for IRC clients). The session will be held in IRC on the WEBBnet
network at 8pm US Eastern time. For a list of WEBBnet servers and IRC software,
please visit the Meeting Info page of our website.
VOLUNTEERS FOR WARPSTOCK '98
Volunteers are needed to take shifts at the VOICE booth at Warpstock '98. Email
Peter Lazenby (plazenby@yellowhead16.net),
VOICE Treasurer to volunteer.
In addition, we will be giving away a Platinum Pass and 1 night's hotel accomodations
during a future SpeakUp with the Warpstock Steering Committee. Only VOICE members
are eligible for the prize but all are welcome to attend the SpeakUp session. Keep
a look out for more information on when the give-away will occur.
Millennium Computers and Communication (MC&C), today announce the launching
of the ALTOS range of computer system.
The ALTOS range by MC&C consists of high spec Linux workstations, and servers.
ALTOS machines can be spec'ed to the requirements of the customer, and come either
preinstalled with OS/2 or a Linux distribution of the customer's choice or without
OS and can be delivered anywhere in the UK.
ALTOS Systems are available now, typically configured with Pentium II and Pentium
Pro processors, and are available in both single and multiprocessor models, using
hardware components that work properly with Linux and OS/2.
MC&C decided to enter the Alternative Operating Systems market because the
PC business is becoming a rat race.
"Microsoft / Sega's new games machine will virtually wipe out the OEM market
for Home PC's, by selling Microsoft Windows systems we're just putting ourselves
out of business."
With the Year 2000 less than 570 days away, Millennium Computers knows it isn't
time to sell someone a system that isn't Y2K compliant.
"Why pay for bundled software when you don't want it" says Mani, owner
of MC&C.
For companies without an existing in-house experience of OS/2 or Linux, MC&C
has an arrangement with PowerDale IT Limited to provide commercial support, installation
and networking services, including Year 2000 Consultancy for all ALTOS systems.
With the ALTOS range, MC&C can serve that market.
About MC&C
Millennium Computers and Communications Limited is an Original Equipment Manufacture,
based in London, United Kingdom, selling directly to the public.
http://www.mcc-uk.com/
Telephone - 0171 610 1007
Fax - 0171 610 2088
email - sales@mcc-uk.com
For online quotations
http://www.yoursite.co.uk/os/hardware/
Project Kickin Butt
InnoVal has been working on a Java-based web accelerator, code named Kickin Butt.
We are seriously considering a native OS/2 version, as well. Web accelerators, properly
designed and coded, can provide significant performance boosts with most browsers
such as Netscape Navigator, Opera, etc.
There are a few win32 web accelerators on the market. Most offer some performance
improvements. Most of them (the impulse-buy-pretty-package variety for Windows 95
found at office superstores, computer stores, and car washes) are okay but claim
wildly exaggerated boosts in performance. Windows 95 is in fact is a poor platform
for web accelerators and the sort of results promised are not realistic. A large
software producer (a client of ours) has built two web very advanced accelerators,
one for NT and one for Unix. Because they are properly designed, they offer significant
performance advantages. Our client reports the following sustained performance boosts
with Netscape Navigator 2.0 and 4.0 running on Windows NT.
Dial in 28kbs - 2.6x
Dial in 56kbs - 2.9x
T1 Connection - 1.8x
In my own testing with a web accelerator, I have seen performance boosts ranging
from 2.1x to 5.0x in 30-minute sessions with a 56kbs connection.
Web accelerators are generally implemented as client-side caching proxies. That
is the easy part. The hard part is page and image chasing strategies, the many anomalies
of HTTP, applets, frames, etc. Web accelerators, admittedly do waste bandwidth but
it isn't burdensome if "chasing" strategies and thread priorities are
properly implemented.
We hope to bring our Java version of Kickin Butt to market later this summer.
The question I have for the OS/2 user community is this: Is there enough interest
to build a native OS/2 version? If I can get 1,000 individual and SOHO OS/2 users
to say, "I'll buy a native OS/2 version of Kickin Butt for $25.00," then
InnoVal will build it and bring it to market during August. I'm not asking you for
any money at this time.
This is something that I personally want to do. The Java version will work well
for many of our customers, particularly in our corporate accounts that are already
committed to Java and have multiple platforms in-house. I believe that there may
enough interest in the OS/2 individual and SOHO market for a resource-leaner, native
OS/2 version of Kickin Butt. It will require a significant cash outlay and committed
resources on our part. I would love to stand up at Warpstock 98 and in front of
OS/2 users groups and demonstrate Kickin Butt. I'd love, again, to bring a totally
new OS/2 product to market.
Let me know if you would spend $25.00 for Kickin Butt. Send an email to kickbutt@innoval.com.
BTW: I doubt that Kickin Butt will be the final product name.
This week's edition of Focus on OS/2 is now available online at http://os2.miningco.com.
In the feature article, I discuss some of the software products, that while they
maybe not indispensable, should be high on the new OS/2 user's "to buy"
list. The article looks briefly at Lotus WordPro; WebOrganizer, a program to clean
up your bookmark list; FileManager/2, the Cadillac of OS/2 file managers; PPPDial,
a freeware program to enhance the "Other Internet Provider" with auto-redial
and other features; and PMView, the popular and feature-rich image viewer. Beginning
this week a link to a *free* download site will be provided for each shareware program
reviewed.
In addition to the weekly feature, literally dozens of links, mainly for software
products, have been added to the Focus on OS/2 site.
The OS/2 Chatroom is OPEN!
I opened it up again and it will stay up this time.
Anyone and everyone is welcome to use it, there are rooms that you can make so
as to keep the screen clutter down. Private messages & Color!
It's kinda crude, but it can be a place where you can be a little bit more FREE
than on The List and will also cut down on erroneous messages on The List.
So if you want to banter back and forth, TelnetPM into:
204.210.207.34
Port: 5555
Emulation: ANSI
It's hard to believe, but consumer advocate Ralph Nader is championing OS/2 as
an alternative to Windows and has written a public letter to Louis Gerstner (CEO
of IBM) asking that he release the OS/2 source code to the public. You can read
about it in Mary Jo Foley's article at zdnet:
http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/zdnn_display/0,3440,2110597,00.html
The actual text of the letter can be seen at:
http://www.essential.org/antitrust/ms/lvgjun8.html
Now, as OS/2 users we know that IBM will not release the OS/2 source due to its
use with their major customers, but perhaps a little pressure right now will change
the course of OS/2's future. You can always send Mr. Gerstner your own feedback
at:
http://www.ibm.com/cgi-bin/email-lvg.pl
I've added a couple of "enhancements" to this page:
1. Peer RSU now works. (used SERVICE.EXE instead of FSERVICE.EXE)
2. Version check "links" for MPTN, TCP/IP, and PEER. (they'll tell you
whether you need the update or not)
http://duanec.indelible-blue.com/fixes/LatestWarp4.html
...have fun...AND READ THE WARNINGS PLEASE!
I'm glad to inform you about new OS/2 non-formal support site opened recently.
This site is at:
and is located in St. Petersburg, Russia. The site is developed by group of enthusiasts
that can be found at any time on irc channel #os2russian (EfNet). Information on
this site is in russian only at this time.
Lantimes published an article at:
http://www.lantimes.com/98/98may/805b001b.html
about new Warp Server (Aurora). The magazine reports that WSOD is a success and
that Aurora will mean an end for OS/2 - as a brand name:
"Aurora is not another release of OS/2," said Steven King, product-development
manager for IBM. "It's a new product."
The following is about WarpTV developments.
Well, I've been kind of quiet since setting up this list, but I can assure you
that good things are happening. Within days of setting up the list, over 500 people
joined. Over the next few weeks, that number grew to about 900. Most list owners
don't like to share that kind of information but this is "our" project
and I'd like to keep you all informed. The next question might be, "Are there
enough of us to fund the WinCast/2 drivers development?" To be honest, not
even close. However 900 interested people, most of whom offered to send money, or
even buy multiple copies of the driver CD can not be taken lightly. Fortunately
my managers agree!
I presented the list to my managers and explained that it was generated from
a single Usenet posting and a mailing sent to addresses collected by Abbotsbury
Software. No advertisements, no magazine articles, and no large corporate interest.
Just OS/2 users who want TV on their desktops. A few weeks later Hauppauge Computer
Works, Inc commisioned Abbotsbury Software to begin work on a GRADD enhanced WinCast/TV
(I like to call it WinCast/2) driver. So we did it!!!!
What exactly did we do? Well, we've taken the first step. Many of you have tried
the beta code from Abbotsbury. It is difficult to setup and use and even if you
manage to get it working, you'll never see full motion video. I've been able to
get about 10 frames per second at best on my P100. Abbotsbury will use IBM's GRADD
model to take the load off the processor and allow full 30fps video. The next priority
will be to make the driver installable via MMSetup or perhaps IBM's new browser
based installer. After that we have to integrate the settings pages into IBM's multimedia
subsystem. If all this sounds rather trivial to you, please step forward and volunteer
to do the work for free:-)
All this stuff is likely to be finished around the middle of September. But there
is a danger. So many OS/2 drivers "kind of work". They lack the polish
and support of Windows drivers. I don't want to see this happen here. By the middle
of September, Hauppauge will have an OS/2 driver that will display video from a
composite or SVideo input. Tuner support "might" be there, stereo TV,
SAP, FM radio and other extras will not yet be supported. Hauppauge could recover
any engineering costs spent up to this time by selling cards to corporate OS/2 users
who don't care about setup, TV tuners, FM radio etc, but that's not what we, the
SOHO and private users(I hope I'm speaking for all of us).
This is where the financial support of the people on this list will become important.
While we (the users) can't finance the complete project, we can fund part of the
development and the finishing touches. I'm also working to get more customers from
Germany, Italy and Japan. We could then put together the CD I mentioned in my last
letter and hopefully by the time Warpstock rolls around, Hauppauge will have an
OS/2 CD for existing WinCast customers, and a bundle for new customers.
Now that you know what's going on with the drivers, I'll tell you what I've learned
about the programs you can use.
WarpTV - This is IBM's TV application. I've been in contact with the folks responsible
for this application (thanks to our friends at Abbotsbury Software) and I'm happy
to say that the person who actually coded the application is still working for IBM,
though not in a multimedia group. The good news is that both he and his manager
are interested in enhancing the application to work with the new drivers. The bad
news is that IBM doesn't work for free. It's too early to know exactly how much
work needs to be done, but there is an open dialog and I'm certain I can work something
out.
I also noticed an article in the Italian e-zine JustWarp about WarpTV. If you
are not familiar with the application you can at least see some screen shots. You
can also translate the URL using the Altavista service at:
http://babelfish.altavista.digital.com/cgi-bin/translate
Go there and enter the URL:
http://www.mclink.it/mclink/teamos2it/justwarp/num0298/warptv.htm
You may also want to check out some independent TV software. From WarpCast:
************************************************************
Originally, my page for the StWTV program was only in German. Today I've created
and unloaded an English version of this page. See:
http://home.t-online.de/home/stefan.milcke/stwtv_en.htm
MfG Stefan Milcke
************************************************************
I haven't tried Stefan's stuff, but if he's motivated to write and maintain a
TV application then we might want to give it a chance. If any of you have tried
the application, let me know.
Teletext - If you don't know what it is, you don't need it:-) Many of you have
asked if we would support it. We don't have plans to develop a teletext application,
but we will try to support such applications by providing the necessary hooks in
our driver. Of course if enough people want it someone will write it, or we may
contract the work out ourselves. Remember, our goal here is to supply a complete
driver. I can't spend money I don't have to fund application development. But I
do want to see Teletext as part of the package. If you checked the Italian WarpTV
article you would have noticed a review of an OS/2 Teletext application. Use the
translation mechanism mentioned above and check out:
http://www.mclink.it/mclink/teamos2it/justwarp/num0298/teletext.htm
I'm trying to contact the author to see what he needs to get this running with
a WinCast.
Video Conferencing - Hey, maybe we could see each other. Everyone else is doing
it! We are lucky that someone is already working on this in the form of CUSeeMe/2.
This is a popular package among our Windows customers. I don't think the OS/2 version
lets you talk to Win32 people but who knows, maybe that can be added. The author
stopped development for a while and like most of us has a day job that inhibits
the pursuit of our true passions. I believe he works on it when he can at this point.
I contacted him and he thinks it will be relatively easy to make this package work
with the WinCast. I'm sure he'd be delighted if two thousand OS/2 users with TV
cards all of a sudden wanted to conference with each other. Check his site:
http://inet.uni-c.dk/~deckkh/index.htm
There is a guest book on the site if you want to register your interest.
FM Radio - I don't know of anyone doing this, but I'll write it if I have to! Again
this is an extra I'd like to see. If it doesn't ship on the CD I'm sure it will
get done by someone and be available. My job is to ensure the driver supports it.
(Boy do I wish I were a PM programmer).
I encourage you to visit the sights mentioned and try to get a note of support
off to the authors of these programs (except WarpTV, I don't know if it's a good
idea to send unsolicited email to IBM employees). Believe me, support from the community
goes a long long way. As if you don't have enough to do, you may also want to send
a note along to your favorite VGA vendors asking them to support GRADD. IBM has
written GRADD drivers for most of the popular cards available today, but the vendors
themselves should maintain and enhance those drivers.
For a list of drivers currently available check IBM's site:
http://service.software.ibm.com/os2ddpak/html/gradd/index.htm
Here is a list of VGA chip manufactures you can contact:
ATI:
Website http://www.atitech.ca/
Product information/specifications & pricing inquiries,
sales@atitech.ca
Marketing issues such as comments and product testimonials may be directed to,
marketing@atitech.ca
Cirrus Logic |
Website: http://www.cirrus.com/ email: Can't find it on the list? Send email to webmaster@cirrus.com. |
Matrox |
Website: http://www.matrox.com/ email: graphics.sales@matrox.com |
S3 |
Website: http://www.s3.com/ email: support@s3.com |
I have some contacts at these companies and I'm sad to say that they report demand
for OS/2 drivers is down. No surprise, but those of us who are interested should
let them know.
In closing, let me apologize to those who have sent questions. I wish I could
talk about Warp and TV cards all day, but time has been tight. Please continue to
ask questions and I'll try to post a FAQ in the next week or two. You can contact
me at:
I'll do my best to either get back to you or answer your question in my FAQ.
Thanks for your support,
John Rodriguez
Software Engineer
Hauppauge Computer Works, Inc.
Well, I've pretty much said all I have to say on the discussion with regards
to not having a Fixkit #3 for Object Desktop.
I wish we could do it and believe me, if it were even remotely economically feasible,
we would do it (I think the proof lies with our timely fixkits on other products
like yesterday's release of a GalCiv gold update). I'm sorry we can't but what we
have done is made sure that the Object Desktop 2.0 upgrade price reflects that while
it contains a lot of new features, it also contains a lot of code designed to work
around or address problems that users have reported over the past year or so.
If you are still unhappy with us for this, I'm sorry but there's nothing we can
do about it and I think it's safe to say that comparing us to Nazi Germany (as one
poster did) or making charges of being immoral or whatever are not going to inspire
any change. This is my last post on that part of the discussion (i.e. I'll ignore
"flame" posts but I'll try to answer legitimate queries). I think I've
provided my view point pretty clearly in earlier posts on this topic.
To try to ensure that any compatibility problems are eliminated before release
as well as getting input from our customers, we are launching an Early Experience
program for Object Desktop 2.0.
If you have Object Desktop 1.5, you can join the EE program for $65 in which
you'll get Object Desktop Professional 1.5 shipped with your 2.0 EE CD (you need
OD Pro because OD 2.0 comes with most of the features of the Professional version).
So technically you're buying OD Pro and the EE version.
If you already have Object Desktop Professional, you can join the EE program
for $35 in which you get the 2.0 EE CD.
When the early experience program is done, you'll be sent the final version of
Object Desktop 2.0.
Object Desktop 2.0 basically combines OD and OD Pro into a single product. It
will have all the features of OD Pro minus the Back Up program (we're going to try
to arrange an upgrade path to the new version of Back Again/2 from CDS).
The new version has some pretty huge changes to the underlying structure of Object
Desktop (there are a lot more DLL's to represent the new underlying OO structure).
This is also another reason why a Fixkit #3 for OD was not feasible.
It also includes a lot of code meant to address problems we've seen. Just one
example, on OS/2 Warp 4, IBM's JAVA implementation doesn't respond well to message
queries. Technically we feel this is an IBM issue but realistically we have to deal
with it. The result was that the system would hang a lot more often if you have
OS/2 Warp 4 with JAVA going and Object Desktop running so we have put in a new way
of querying objects which gets around this issue. The only bad side is that we may
not be able to support OS/2 2.11 with OD 2.0 (i.e. you'll need OS/2 Warp 3 or later).
From a feature perspective, it includes a lot of user interface enhancements,
we hope to add a Start bar for those people who have Win95 users using their machines.
You don't have to use any of these features of course. The Control Center can monitor
your internet performance now if you have a modem (this is pretty cool). We've also
added features to the base OS/2 folder so that you can optionally put it beyond
where IE 4 is on NT. This is one of our key goals. OS/2's strength, from our view
is its stability and user interface. IBM continues to release Fixpacks for OS/2
which overall improve stability. Object Desktop 2.0 will put OS/2 again a generation
ahead of NT 5 in the UI department before it's released.
The Virtual Desktops have also received some major new features such as the ability
to record and retrieve "lay outs" giving users the ability to have programs
be launched in a particular virtual desktop. For instance, I have an Internet layout
saved and when I use it, I have PMINews in one desktop, PM Mail in another, Netscape
in another and a command prompt in the 4th. Now I'm ready for full web browsing
power. I consider this feature to be pretty major from a productivity stand point.
There are numerous other features that we hope to put into it which included
updated viewers. The filters which are the underlying part of Object Viewers are
done by a third party. They have thus far been unwilling to update them for the
usual reasons we, as OS/2 users, hear. But we will keep on them. If we do manage
to get them to update them before the release, they'll be part of OD 2.0. If it
happens after the fact, they'll be released free (it's just a matter of copying
the files into the OD directory). But I can't make any promises about the viewers,
they may not be updated at all. They are still extremely powerful of course and
handle virtually every major program's files (from Word 95 to Autocad) but I'd like
to see Word Pro and Office 97 support which is what I'm drumming on them for.
We hope to have the EE version ready to go by the end of the month but we want
to make sure it's pretty solid before we send it out.
Visit http://www.stardock.com to join the
Early Experience Program.
VENDOR: BT Software offers OS/2 SHAREWARE Download and Registration
WHAT? ==> Registration and downloading of shareware.
WHERE? ==> In the UK, Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands at http://www.btsoftware.com
WHY? ==> No credit card needed. So safe and so easy.
HOW? ==> Pay by bank transfer, receive by e-mail.
IBM has updated the refresh files for Java 1.1.4 again. Last one was May 9, '98.
The current one is May 30, '98, with the archives dated June 4, '98.
The Refresh files can be found at:
ftp.hursley.ibm.com/pub/java/fixes/os2/11/114
NOTE: These are for REFRESH only. If you don't already have Java 1.1.4 installed,
you need to get the FULL Java 1.1.4 package and Feature Install 1.2.2 (if you don't
have it) from Software Choice.
http://www.software.ibm.com/os/warp/swchoice/
There's a new driver for the Matrox Millenium and Matrox Mystique cards (version
2.20.055):
ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/commercial_desktop/za1t21a.exe
The Matrox site (http://www.matrox.com) lists
the latest driver as 2.13, so apparently it is (at the moment) only available at
the IBM FTP site.
Dear German speaking OS/2 users,
There will be a new German computer magazine which is targeted at the private
OS/2 user only, accordingly it will be called "OS/2 only!". The first
issue is planned to be published on August, 1st. There is an information document
on some German web sites which also contains the request to send an email to the
owner of the publishing company so that he can send you a form for a future reader
poll. Please have a look at this URL:
http://www.os2online.de/only/only.htm
There are not many subscribers yet, please become one of them! If only a few
more do, the price should drop to a more acceptable level (currently 12,80 DM).
Volunteers Needed
Warpstock is a celebration of OS/2, conceived, designed, and implemented by-and-for
the OS/2 end-user community. Warpstock 98 will be held in Chicago October 16, 17,
18, 1998. For complete details visit http://www.warpstock.org
and don't forget to check out the early registration specials.
Warpstock is a nonprofit event that is solely managed by volunteers. The volunteers
that stepped forward to make Warpstock 97 an overwhelming success, came for all
over the world. Many were local to California while others came from around the
world. There were OS/2 users from as far away as Portugal that attend and helped
onsite! There were those that were unable to attend, yet volunteered to help with
tasks that could be managed offsite. So, you don't need to be present to win. <G>
Your help is needed to make Warpstock 98 an exciting, fun and successful celebration.
Visit the Warpstock 98 homepage and sign up now or email bri@gt-online.com.
Many thanks to those of you who have already volunteered. The web site will be
updated shortly to reflect the current volunteers.
Thank you for supporting Warpstock 98
BMT Micro proudly announce the...
4th Edition of the BMT Micro OS/2 Shareware CD
==============================================
BMT Micro is proud to announce the pending release of our fourth OS/2 cdrom shareware
disc. The fourth edition is scheduled to ship on or before June 17th and is even
bigger and better than before.
This 4th edition features the latest versions of the 300+ OS/2 shareware products
distributed by BMT Micro. If you're looking for the "Cream of the Crop"
in OS/2 shareware, this is the CD for you.
Best of all, each program on the disc can be purchased from BMT Micro or with
any of our resellers located around the world - and you can receive the registration
information delivered directly to you soon after placing your order (in almost all
cases within 24 hours).
The programs on the disc are separated by category and the entire disc can be
navigated with your web browser. In addition to being separated into categories,
each program has been unarchived into a separate subdirectory allowing many of the
programs to be run or installed directly from the disc. Even the programs that do
not lend themselves to direct installation from the disc have been unzipped allowing
the user to browse the various readme files, help files, etc. Each directory has
a descriptive text file that lists filenames and a brief description of the files
in that directory.
We're now taking pre-orders for this disc for $7.99 each plus $2.00 shipping
anywhere in the world (via US Postal Service.) This special price is good through
June 17th, 1998 even if the discs are shipping well before then. As always, no charges
will be made until the day the same day the disc ships.
Orders can be placed online at https://secure.falcon-net.net/BMT/order0019.html
or by phone or fax at the numbers below.
As always, thanks!
BMT Micro, Inc. 5019 Carolina Beach Rd. Suite 202 Wilmington, NC 28412 |
800-414-4268 - Sales |
http://www.bmtmicro.com |
Former members of the Chicago Organizing Committee spoke out on their recent
resignations from the '98 Warpstock event. In an interview with 32 Bits Online's
Ronny Ko, Tim Sipples, Gary Kopycinski and Bill McLaughlin explained their side
of recent events that led to the dissolution of the Chicago Warpstock team.
See:
http://www.32bitsonline.com/Issues/june98/Chicago_Interview.shtm
for complete details.
Newsgroups created for Project Magic -- in order to provide a forum for exchange
and a meeting place for those looking forward to Opera on other operating systems
('Opera Winfree' ;-)), we have created a number of newsgroups on our server. These
are:
If you are interested in an information exchange with like-minded souls, you
are more than welcome to participate in the discussions taking place there.
Warpstock 98 Event Coordinator Announced!
The Warpstock Steering Committee is delighted to announce that Stanley Sidlov,
long-time OS/2 expert and advocate, is assuming Event Coordinator responsibilities
for this year's Warpstock '98 conference.
According to Larry Finkelstein, president of the Warpstock Steering Committee,
"We're delighted that Stan has agreed to join the team. We know that he can
help us make Warpstock '98 an even bigger success than last year's event, which
drew hundreds of OS/2 users from around the world.
Sidlov, an IBM Midrange developer and IST Manager for Alliance Funding, Inc.
is active with the NY PC Users OS/2 SIG, professionally supports OS/2 and lends
his experiences to other OS/2 users in such places as CompuServe's OS/2 forums and
various mail lists.
Sidlov's selection continues the 1997 tradition of having key Warpstock organizers
from outside the host City, making Warpstock a unique event in that planning is
done over the Internet with the input and participation of the OS/2 community from
around the world.
According to Sidlov, "I'm excited to be selected to help ensure that this
year's event is a bigger success than Warpstock '97. The team of volunteers from
Chicago and elsewhere have made a great start, but there's lots more to be done
to make Warpstock '98 the best ever. Luckily, the Steering Committee has a number
of collective years under their belts in organizing events, which should make things
easier. I look forward to working closely with everyone that has volunteered to
help with Warpstock '98."
For the latest information on Warpstock '98, subscribe to the Warpstock List
Server by sending an email message to "warpstock-request@warpstock.org".
In the body of the message, put the command "subscribe" (without the quotes).
On behalf of the Warpstock Steering Committee, I'd like to emphatically deny
rumors that Warpstock '98 is being canceled.
Some of the people in Chicago that bid for the site weren't able to live up to
the expectations of the Warpstock Steering Committee, and resigned. Last year we
also had several key people that resigned, but they didn't do it so publicly. Presumably
those that resigned last year had the best interests of the OS/2 community in mind.
This year, those resigning have attempted to shut down the event behind them, but
the Warpstock Steering Committee is taking action to ensure that this year's Warpstock
can meet the high standards that we set last year.
We will be posting additional information shortly and will make every effort
to keep the entire OS/2 community informed of our progress.
How many people on this list have voice modems using the Rockwell chipset? (VoiceSURFRs
from Motorola come to mind).
The idea is to encourage the german author of a nice native OS/2 voice/fax app.,
called FAM/2 (currently at version 1.07) to make an english translation of it.
He says that nobody from outside germany has contacted him on the last two years
asking about the program. (No surprise since the program has never been uploaded
to hobbes before!, today I did).
This is really bad since I think FAM/2 is a great application. It includes:
The developer frenki@amt.comlink.de
(Frank Barwich) wrote
>There will be no english version. I've canceled the english version >
with version 1.05 of FAM, cause there was no response from out of > germany in
the two years before. > > > 2- How much is the registration fee > >
50 German Marks, thats 30 US-Dollar. > > The fee is very moderate, but I don't
have the time to spend work > in a thing, that nobody is interested in, sorry.
> > Bye > Frank
Check out the program...
http://hobbes.nmsu.edu -> fam107.zip
(use the search engine).
and then if you like it e-mail frenki@amt.comlink.de
(Frank Barwich)
Feel free to pass this and repost elsewhere if you think it's appropriate.
V.O.I.C.E. REORGANIZES TO MEET INCREASED DEMAND
Due to a dramatic increase in both the size and scope of VOICE (Virtual OS/2
International Consumer Education) over the past several weeks, some changes have
been made on the Board of Directors. David Both has found it necessary to resign
as President due to his busy work schedule but will remain on the VOICE Board as
a Technical Advisor. Dan Casey, former Vice President, will now be the President
of VOICE.
The VOICE Board are now accepting nominations from VOICE members to fill the
Vice Presidency position. Nominations should be e-mailed to voicevp@ibm.net
and must be received no later than June 14, 1998. Nominees must be VOICE members.
Self nominations are acceptable and all nominations should include a short biography
by the nominee, to be posted on the VOICE website for all members to read prior
to voting. Details on voting will be available on the VOICE website when the nominee
biographies are posted. Voting will close on June 21, 1998.
VOICE SENDS ONE LUCKY MEMBER TO WARPSTOCK
VOICE will be giving away a Platinum Pass and 1 night's hotel accommodations
during a future SpeakUp with the Warpstock Organizers. Only VOICE members are eligible
for the prize, but everyone is welcome to attend the SpeakUp session.
The VOICE website: http://www.os2voice.org
The Warpstock website: http://www.warpstock.org
A WarpCast subscriber, after reading our post regarding the availability of Star
Office 4.0 SP3, sent an email to Star Division requesting more information. This
is an excerpt of the reply he received:
"We just released the English version of StarOffice 4.0 SP3. Comparing SP3
to the International Beta it offers extended functionality and patches. However,
Lotus .wk? Filters are not included yet. They will be available with StarOffice
5.0 (see below).
The OS/2 version is USD 295.00. Until 08/01/98 we offer a special introductory
price of USD 249.00. Competitive upgrade pricing is available only for upgrades
to the Windows platform.
StarOffice 5.0 will be released later this summer and will definitely be available
for OS/2. Our upgrade policy is as follows: All StarOffice 4.0 SP3 customers will
get StarOffice 5.0 for FREE. Therefore there is no point in waiting:
If you are interested in purchasing StarOffice 4.0 for OS/2 please print the
attached order form or send me your fax number and we will fax you an order form.
You may pay by check or credit card. If you have any further questions please send
an email to US-info@stardivision.com
or call (510) 505-1470."
IBM OUTLINES ROADMAP FOR OS/2 SERVER FAMILY
Plans Include New Versions of Both OS/2 Warp Server and WorkSpace On-Demand
AUSTIN, May 5, 1998 . . . IBM today announced several enhancements for the OS/2
Warp Server family of products improving system management and back-up and recovery
capabilities. In addition, IBM has outlined plans for a new version of OS/2 Warp
Server and the next release of WorkSpace On-Demand, IBM's server-managed client
operating system. IBM plans to introduce this next release into the OS/2 Warp Server
family of products in early 1999 and will serve as IBM's entry level server platform
for running e-business applications. In addition, IBM's new release of WorkSpace
On-Demand is also targeted for early 1999 and will offer customers support for a
broader range of hardware devices. "We continue to strengthen the OS/2 Warp
Server platform as a true enterprise solution to meet our customers needs today,"
said Jeff Smith, director of IBM's OS/2 Business Unit. "As more companies become
e-businesses, we want to offer an entry-level server platform that will provide
all of the features and functionality needed to build a network computing architecture
that can grow to meet customer's expanding e-business demands in the future."
New Features for Today's OS/2 Warp Server
OS/2 Warp Server systems management provides network administrators with a highly
flexible tool that allows them to configure, monitor and manage local and remote
systems in a heterogeneous environment. This new update offers administrators management
of Windows NT 4.0 clients, expanded hardware support, and added functionality such
as continuous resource monitoring, utilization reports for all servers, and report
generation ranging from hourly to monthly. IBM's backup and recovery feature in
OS/2 Warp Server provides users with non-stop system backup and recovery functionality
through an easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI) or a new command-line interface.
This enables users to schedule backups to run with minimum intervention and allows
for lost files to be restored in minutes with its unique indexing facility. New
features included in OS/2 Warp Server's backup and recovery include: Large Network
Administration and Backup -- In addition to the easy-to-use graphical interface,
the new command-line interface now offers network administrators flexibility to
automate and customize the backup process for large networks.
Dual Device Backup Set and Removable Media Support -- Administrators can now
backup data on one or more different backup devices allowing for full system backups
to a tape drive, with incremental backup on a quick access drive. The tape drive
can be used for disaster recovery while the removable drive, such as IOMEGA JAZ
and ZIP drives, can be locally available for quick recovery. This allows an administrator
to take advantage of the price, capacity and speed characteristics of different
storage devices, minimizing the time needed to recover an up-to-date system.
The new systems management and backup and recovery functionality that has been
added to OS/2 Warp Server is available today from Software Choice, IBM's Internet
software delivery site, at http://www.software.ibm.com/os2warp.
Roadmap Includes New Version of OS/2 Warp Server and WorkSpace On-Demand.
The next release of OS/2 Warp Server is planned for beta availability in late
1998 and will be IBM's entry level e-business server and an ideal platform to help
reduce the total cost of management with WorkSpace On-Demand. In addition to all
of the feature and functionality found in today's OS/2 Warp Server, the new release
will offer customers out-of-box support for Year 2000 and Eurocurrency -- two critical
issues businesses are facing today. It will also include a high-performance Journaling
File System offering faster performance, improved scalability, and enhanced Web
serving capabilities. General availability is planned for early 1999.
The plans for the new release of WorkSpace On-Demand include support of a broader
set of hardware using standard IP Protocols allowing customers to continue to build
upon their existing hardware investments. IBM also plans to provide additional pre-configured
machine classes for hardware that has broad appeal to today's customers. One example
of the extended pre-configured machine class support, will be WorkSpace On-Demand's
support for select IBM Network Stations. Additional planned enhancements will focus
on continued ease-of-use for administrators by enhancing WorkSpace On-Demand's application
installation and machine class creation tools. This release will also include Java
1.1.6 with support for additional releases as they become available. General availability
is planned for the fourth quarter of 1998.
Version 1.1 of PM Fee released and uploaded to Hobbes (http://hobbes.nmsu.edu)
and BMT micro (http://www.bmtmicro.com/).
PM Fee is a Presentation Manager front end for McAfee's command line program:
os2scan.exe and lets you easily scan your drives for viruses. Also PM Fee lets you
view the scan log file and virus list. PM Fee is shareware and costs $10 to register.
New Features
This update is free for registered users.
PM Fee FEATURES
---------------
a. Can scan any combination of local drives.
b. Can scan any combination of network drives.
c. Uses Drag and Drop to scan a single file or folder.
d. Option to view the PMFEE.LOG log file.
e. Option to view and search the VIRUS list.
f. Option to specify the max log file size and directory. (only registered version).
g. Multi language.
Dutch codepage 850, 437
English codepage 850, 437
French codepage 850, 437
Swedish codepage 850, 437
German codepage 850, 437
Polish codepage 852, 850
Czech codepage 852, 850
h. Uses multimedia sounds.
i. Written with Borland C++ for OS/2.
j. Tested with screen sizes of 640*480, 800*600 and 1024*768.
Web site USA: http://www.os2ss.com/users/tjsteen/
Web site Europe: http://www1.tip.nl/~t207448/
Fixpack 36 for Warp 3.0 is available at:
ftp://service.boulder.ibm.com:/ps/products/os2/fixes/v3.0warp/english-us/xr_w036
It is also available on the IBM Software Update page:
http://ps.boulder.ibm.com/pbin-usa-ps/getobj.pl?/pdocs-usa/softupd.html
For the list of APARs (fixes) in Fixpack 36, go to:
ftp://service.boulder.ibm.com:/ps/products/os2/fixes/v3.0warp/english-us/xr_w036/readme2
A graphical front end is available for the SANE library (Scanner Access Now Easy).
It is currently in beta test, but it seems to be reliable enough for general use.
It is called SANE/2.
I wrote it to replace the command line interface available with the SANE package.
SANE/2 can be downloaded from my home page:
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Peaks/4320
Team OS/2 Italy announces that the new issue of JustWarp!, Italy's most widespread
electronic magazine, is now available online at:
http://www.mclink.it/mclink/teamos2it/justwarp/index.htm
or on its mirror at:
http://volftp.tin.it/TEAMOS2/jwarp/justwarp/index.htm
This issue features:
...and many others.
Team OS/2 Italia http://www.mclink.it/mclink/teamos2it/ita/index.html
For Immediate Release
Thursday, May 28, 1998
Atlanta GA - Stardock Systems, Inc. Announced Object Desktop 2.0 today
at E3. The previous version of the advanced OS/2 desktop environment is the most
popular third party OS/2 product ever created for OS/2. Previously sold as Object
Desktop 1.5 Standard and Professional editions, Object Desktop 2.0 will merge the
features of both editions into Object Desktop 2.0.
"With the changing OS/2 market, we decided the time was right to put
our focus purely on power users and corporate desktops." Said Brad Wardell,
President of Stardock Systems, Inc.
The new version boasts a completely new look over its predecessor, greatly improved
performance, and increased compatibility with OS/2 Warp 4. Stardock has also added
in features and improvements suggested by OS/2 users during the time between Object
Desktop 1.5's release and today. New features include a revamped Control Center
that includes "lay outs" for setting up virtual desktops, real-time internet
performance monitoring capabilities, virtual desktop start up features (allowing
users to launch a program into a particular virtual desktop). The Enhanced folder
has also received some new features including a tool bar to bring OS/2Æs GUI
features up and beyond what is expected to be available on Windows NT 5.
"OS/2's user interface is still state of the art but there were a few
areas where the upcoming NT 5 that would have given NT some user interface advantages.
With Object Desktop 2.0, weÆve nipped that in the bud and OS/2 will continue
to have the world's most advanced GUI," Said Wardell.
Object Desktop 2.0 is the result of almost two years of effort by StardockÆs
OS/2 development team and the culmination of StardockÆs advanced user interface
technologies.
A full look at the features of Object Desktop 2.0 can be found at Stardock's
website http://www.stardock.com. Object
Desktop 2.0 will list for $99.95. The upgrade price for users of Object Desktop
will be $55 and the upgrade price from Object Desktop Professional will be $39.
An early experience program will be available starting at the end of June for
users who want to have input on the upcoming new version. Only users of Object Desktop
Professional since the early experience version will only work on systems with Object
Desktop Professional already installed. The early experience program costs $35 to
join and includes a final version of Object Desktop 2.0 when it arrives.
Stardock expects to begin shipping Object Desktop 2.0 in early August. Users
can pre-order it or join the early experience program by visiting http://www.stardock.com
and clicking on the Object Desktop 2.0 link.
The Best of OS/2 web site is now being updated daily. The site contains headline
news that should be of interest to the OS/2 community. All headlines and links to
stories are collected from other sources on the web. This site contains links to
other announcement facilities and news sources about OS/2. Best of OS/2 Today may
be found at:
For advertising information on The Best of OS/2 web site, please call Marianne
Roderus at 914-835-3838 or write to innoval@ibm.net.
Henk Kelder has released v0.73 of his FAT32.IFS, which allows FAT32 partitions
to be accessed from OS/2. (FAT32 is Microsoft's new file system for Win95 OSR 2.x
and above)
This beta is available from:
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/hkelder/
This site was featured on Netscape's "What's New" pages. Vote for your
favorite Operating System by pledging a dollar amount to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
OS/2 is in the running with 50 votes. Linux is way ahead with 449 votes. And what
about those millions of Windows users? Right now... 0 votes. Check it out at:
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Network/5601/
This site was featured on Netscape's "What's New" pages. Vote for your
favorite Operating System by pledging a dollar amount to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
OS/2 is in the running with 50 votes. Linux is way ahead with 449 votes. And what
about those millions of Windows users? Right now... 0 votes. Check it out at:
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Network/5601/
May 27, 1998 - Modular Dreams Incorporated today announces the release of the
MD+F Marauder 3 Advanced Image Database, version 1.4 for IBM OS/2 Warp, featuring
BBS and Web enhancements.
MD+F Marauder 3 is the only enterprise-level image collection tool available
for home and small office use.
Features of Marauder 3 include:
For current MD+F Marauder 3 users, the additional features in version 1.4 are:
Marauder 3 Advanced Image Database is not for everyone. Most users only require
basic image cataloging functionality and there are many applications available commercially
or bundled with input devices to satisfy their needs. Marauder 3 is for the remaining
few. Please download and try to decide if Marauder 3 is right for you.
You can get current information about the MD+F Marauder 3 as well as the executable(s)
from Modular Dreams at their website located at http://www.modulardreams.com.
The website also contains usage information and screenshots of the product. To
purchase MD+F Marauder 3 contact your favorite online dealer. The MSRP for MD+F
Marauder 3 is $99.00 and the product's license allows you to use it on any platform
for which it is available. This upgrade is available for free to current MD+F Marauder
3 owners. Like all MD+F products, you must register this product online before using
it. A three button mouse is recommended.
Modular Dreams Inc, P.O. Box 682, Vienna, VA 22183.
Email: MDF@BIX.COM, Phone: (703)278-0280, Fax: (703)278-0281
It seems that things are now underway for a UK OS/2 user group. There is already
a mailing list which was working along similar lines.
I have placed a web page at:
http://www.denzil71.demon.co.uk/os2ug.html
containing the latest news on all this.
Things are still in the early stages but are moving.
The Virtual OS/2 International Consumer Education (VOICE) web site has been updated
with a new online membership form and an extensive new FAQ called the Help Desk.
The VOICE Help Desk is provided as a free service to anyone requesting help/advice
regarding OS/2 Warp. The help desk is supported by VOICE members and those who have
subscribed to the help mailing list on a voluntary basis.
You can find the VOICE web site at:
Greetings;
I am working on trying to start an OS/2 User Group in San Jose, CA. Several interested
parties have contacted me after a few newsgroup postings, and it appears that there
may be sufficient interest in this part of Silicon Valley.
Anyone interested in taking part can contact me via e-mail at: dljone9@ibm.net.
The Virtual OS/2 International Consumer Education (VOICE) website has been updated
with a new online membership form and an extensive new FAQ called the Help Desk.
The VOICE Help Desk is provided as a free service to anyone requesting help/advice
regarding OS/2 Warp. The help desk is supported by VOICE members and those who have
subscribed to the help mailing list on a voluntary basis.
You can find the VOICE website at http://www.os2voice.org/.
I have just posted both the ZDNET article titled "IBM Suffocates OS/2"
in which an IBM official said IBM was has stopped all but fixpak work on the OS/2
Client and was not going to develop software for the Intel's Merced chip, and the
subsequent denial by Richard Seibt, General Manager, OS/2 Business Unit.
You can find them both at http://os2.miningco.com
Today, Lexmark International, Inc., announces OS/2 driver support for the Lexmark
5700 and other Color Jetprinters (TM).
OS/2 users are now able to take full advantage of unsurpassed quality in color
printing including 1200 dpi resolution at a reasonable price.
With this announcement, Lexmark is continuing to expand its Color Jetprinter
compatibility. The new OS/2 printer drivers provide unsurpassed quality color printing
to OS/2 users at a reasonable price. The new Lexmark drivers provide a truly easy-to-use
interface that allows OS/2 users to take full advantage of the award winning 5700
Color Jetprinter.
Full information on Color Jetprinters are available on the Lexmark Web Site
7000 and 7200 Color Jetprinters Support
OS/2 driver support will also be provided for 7200 and 7000 Color Jeprinters
with the same capabilities. However, it will not include any on-line printer user's
guide. (Color Jetprinters are shipped with a Quick Setup Sheet and an on-line printer
user's guide for Windows only) An on-line printer user's guide for OS/2 is provided
with the OS/2 driver support for 5700 Color Jetprinter.
Compatibility |
Operating Systems The custom Lexmark OS/2 driver is for use with the OS/2 operating system
only. The Windows driver should be used for WIN-OS/2 printing. Tips are
provided for WIN-OS/2 printing. |
Attachment |
The driver is for use with parallel port attached printers only. |
National languages support |
US English, Italian, French, Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish and German
versions of the drivers are available. |
This product is Year 2000 Compliant. | |
Convenient high quality personal printing for OS/2 users | |
The OS/2 driver for Lexmark 5700 Color Jetprinter provides an easy to
use interface with tabs that allows users to quickly configure their document
printing as well as easily manage their supplies. | |
Printer configuration |
The driver includes an on-line printer user's guide The driver's "setup" tab enables users to quickly set which
forms (paper type and size) are available in which paper source. For even more convenience, users can create their own form with a custom
name. These forms will then be selectable the same way as predefined forms.The
OS/2 driver is also providing the ability to setup default parameters for
DOS and OS/2 command line printing such as copying a text file to the parallel
port. |
Supplies management |
The 5700 Color Jetprinter can be used with any of the following combinations
of cartridges:
The OS/2 driver lets you take full advantage of this flexibility and
provides an intuitive interface for all cartridge related operations such
as installation, alignment or print head cleaning. An On-Screen cartridge
display enables you to know which cartridges are installed and the quantity
of ink remaining in each cartridge. |
> Document settings |
The driver's paper tab provides a graphical interface that allows you
to select page layout, paper type and size (including custom forms) and
finishing options like collation and number of copies. The full capability of the Color Jetprinters is supported from the OS/2
driver. Users can select at a glance the desired print mode from the fastest
black and white printing up to the unsurpassed print quality that is offered
by the 5700 Color Jetprinter with 1200 dpi resolution and advanced color
science.Advanced quality settings are also provided to enable users to
finely tune the printer and driver so they can obtain the exact desired
colors. It includes halftoning function selection, brightness and contrast
tuning and color mode or black only selection. |
Technical Support |
Technical support will be provided by the Lexmark Technical Support
Center: 1-800-LEXMARK (800-539-6275). |
Packaging |
The Lexmark OS/2 drivers for 5700, 5000, 7000 and 7200 Color Jetprinters
will be available from the following Lexmark electronic services:
|
Trademarks |
Lexmark and Lexmark with diamond design are trademarks of Lexmark International,
Inc., registered in the United States and/or other countries. Color Jetprinter and Print Lexmark are trademarks of Lexmark International,
Inc. All other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners. |